Chicken Obituaries & Eulogies 2

I used to think it was a bit morbid when older relatives would routinely scan the newspaper obituaries, often relieved not to find people they knew. Memorial notices tend to fall into two categories: a laundry list of names, dates and places without revealing anything substantive about the deceased; or touching, heartwarming and sometimes even humorous glimpses into a person’s life. As I get older I find myself drawn to reading the obits, which, if well written, can be quite illuminating explorations of a life.

I’ve only written two published obituaries: one for my mother and another for one of my dogs. Celebrating the lives of family, friends and often household pets is not uncommon, but that got me thinking about chickens. I do see folks post in online chicken groups about having a burial service complete with flowers, grave marker and speeches for their lost feathered friend. I know that some folks are dismissive of the emotional attachments we make with chickens, but I think it’s reflective of the very real ways that animals touch our lives.

Funeral services are an opportunity to remember a loved one and to celebrate their lives. There’s no such thing as ‘just’ a chicken; they are sentient beings with personalities that, when given the chance, can worm their way into our hearts. To ignore the potential of that bond is to minimize the connection that we have with other living beings.

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The word obituary, meaning a notice of a death, especially in a newspaper, has its origins in Latin: obitus meaning ‘to meet’ or ‘go towards one’s death’. The suffix -ary typically means belonging or connected to.

A eulogy is a formal speech or piece of writing praising a person or thing, especially a person who has recently died; from eulogia, classical Greek eu for ‘well’ or ‘true’, logia for ‘words’, together for ‘praise’.

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I’ve yet to write an obituary for a chicken, but I present some here: the witty, touching and teary.

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Our Northern Lights tonight were seen in the feathers of our Bootsy who we had to send over the rainbow bridge tonight. She lived 9 good years and had a really good last day. She was running around the yard living her best life in the afternoon.

We brought her along as company for our other hen on a trip to the vet. When the vet opened the carrier Boots was breathing heavily, opened mouthed. She put her on oxygen. Boots had a round of heart failure last year but was doing great until now. Aurora was my cuddle bud and crossed the rainbow bridge through a spectacular show of Northern Lights last night. 

The vet removed the remnants of a broken egg in her flock sister. Amazing vet. She was also smart enough to ask if we wanted her to see Boots after she had passed so she could understand what was going on. Shine on sweet soul. You will be missed. – Hetty Mayer-Caswick

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Lost a good girl today. I have no idea what happened, just found her dead in the coop. We saluted, thanked her for her service and gave her a Viking funeral. One day we will see each other again and drink from the skulls of our enemies. – Telly Morrison

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I know some of you have experienced this heartache. I made the very hard decision to put Myrtle to rest. For me it’s the first time losing a hen. I’m not sure what was wrong with her. I asked a friend to put her to rest for me. After he left, I cried and cried. I’m still in shock.

I will miss you so much sweetheart. Rest easy my darling girl Myrtle. Cheeky, curious, sweet, grumpy, beautiful. I know you’re no longer suffering and for that I am glad, because you didn’t deserve that. I hope I showed you how loved and special you were, and a better life than what you had endured before coming to live with us. Thank you for coming into my life and for the time we shared. – Kristy Niebling

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The inevitable happened: our Boss hen seven year old Annabelle died today. The kindest girl who never picked on anyone a day in her life but made the other girls and our little roo toe the line. She taught respect. She suddenly walked like a duck four years ago but still maintained her status. She laid eggs like crazy and bless her sweet heart crowed like a rooster!

Annabelle, you are so missed already. Now go walk in the rain and get those big ol’ worms and don’t worry about your good friend Fawna, we will take the best care of her. – Nevada Heide

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I lost my first chicken a few weeks ago and gave her a proper burial because that’s what I thought was best. I’m an animal lover, so losing one proved to be very emotional for me. I remember one comment from when I posted about her dying – “it’s a f*king chicken, move on”. I thought about that comment as I was ugly crying burying her and I just wanted to provide some perspective. Sometimes an animal is not “just”, sometimes they are a pet. Some people, like me, put their entire heart into their animals and become attached to them as if they were part of the family. Some don’t and I totally get that – it’s an absolute necessity to have folks that don’t. My hope in all this babble is to reach those of you that remain quiet because you feel like you’re going to get roasted for caring about your “livestock”. There are people out there that will never understand, and that’s ok, but there are also many that will. Just choose kindness. – Catie Johnson

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Going to post my chicken obituary here as I know most of you would understand my sadness. My beautiful Rhode Island Red Emm passed away in her sleep some time last night. She was eight years old and the most beautiful hen. Her feathers would catch the light of sun and gleam red and copper. She was loved by my son and they had many adventures in the yard together. She loved scratches behind her ears and fresh blackberries (hand fed of course). She is survived by her sister Nat. She is predeceased by her other sister Marti. Emm you were loved and a piece of my heart is missing now that you are gone. – Michelle Gregoire

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R.I.P. sweet Cupcake. March 2020-March 21 2025 My friendly patio pal, I will miss our morning coffee. Devoted snack finder, wheelbarrow chaser and back scratch lover. Egglayer til the end – Sara Byron

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I came home from work today and my Ariel took her last breath in my arms. We knew this day would come but I was hoping it wouldn’t be so soon. She just turned one last month. She was born special: one pupil was heart shaped since she was little. That heart turned into what I think was a cancerous tumour. She was blind in one eye but never showed pain. She was so loved by my two young kids and all her chicken sisters. She was just eating worms with her friends last night. I haven’t stopped crying since she passed away two hours ago. I knew I could share here because only you chicken people can relate to how much chickens mean to you!! Rest in peace my sweet girl. – Carine Moore

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A chicken will always be a chicken but not all chickens are ‘just’ chickens. This is my Lucky Lucy.  We had to help her out of a death trap and said hello on 4/11/22.   As I went out to feed and open nesting boxes on what would be her third birthday I found her nested on the ground inside the coop.  I gently picked her up realizing something wasn’t right.  She was alert but not moving other than to look up at me. As I held her just a brief moment, she closed her eyes and took her last breath cradled in my arms.  Most of my birds simply get buried in the flower beds but she has found a home hung high upon my wall and her body will rest under our yellow rose. – Wesley Balko

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Thanks to everyone who shared their stories and photos. Featured photo credit: Dana Murray

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